Japanese American Community in Indiana, 2003-2005
A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University
Bloomington
Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for
the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the
Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002
Overview of the Collection
Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu
Creator
Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory
TitleJapanese American Community in Indiana, 2003-2005
Project No.
ohrc114
Interviews
10 interview. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral
materials.
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University
Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews
from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Language
Materials are in English.
Abstract
This collection of interviews examines the experiences of Japanese Americans
in the Indianapolis area. The interviewees, many of whom were born in Japan
prior to World War II, focus on what compelled them to move to Indiana and
their impressions of a Japanese American community. In particular, the
interviewees detail the work of political and social organizations like the
Japan America Society and Japanese American Citizens League. These groups'
activities combined the fostering of traditional Japanese cultural forms
like art, language, and dancing in the United States with political work
like the Redress Movement to confront the experience of internment for many
Japanese Americans during World War II.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains ten interviews conducted from 2003 to 2005. The interviews range from 48 to 90 minutes. All interviews
consist of audio tapes, typed transcripts, and collateral materials.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the
history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open
to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies
are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any
restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier
(pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript
(deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for
patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that
interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview.
Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be
used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession
number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last
name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University,
Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape
number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Interview List
Interviewee
Anonymous October 6, 2005
Call Number
05-002
Physical Description
18 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 55 minutes; index; interview
questionnaire
Interviewer
Conner, Nancy
Access Status
Restricted (tapes closed)
Scope and Content Note
The interviewee, born in 1933, discusses growing up in Japan and her family's
background. She tells of meeting her first husband, a member of the U.S.
military, and moving to the United States. She mentions the roles she and her
second husband had in the the formation and operation of the Indianapolis
Japanese American Citizens League. The interviewee also talks about her work as
an interpreter for Japanese businessmen in the 1980s and her current work with
Japanese dance and painting.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Japan America Society
- Japanese American Citizens League
-
-
Occupation Names
- interpreter
-
-
Place Names
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Tokyo, Japan
-
-
Subjects
- community organizations
- Japanese culture
- marriage
- travel industry
Interviewee
Carter, Tae September 19, 2004
Call Number
05-009
Physical Description
21 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 75 minutes; not indexed; interview
questionnaire
Interviewer
Conner, Nancy
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Tae Carter, born in 1929, recalls growing up in Sendai, Japan, and her
educational background. There she met her first husband, who was a member of
the American military, and moved to Indiana when he left Japan. She recounts
her involvement in the Japanese American Citizens League and that group's role
in promoting a sense of community among people of Japanese descent in
Indianapolis. Finally, she discusses her trips back to Japan and the importance
of traditional Japanese customs in her everyday life.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Japanese American Citizens League
- RCA
-
-
Place Names
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Sendai, Japan
-
-
Subjects
- community organizations
- English language
- Japanese community
- Japanese war brides
- military wives
- naturalization
Interviewee
Hanasono, George December 3, 2003
Call Number
05-003
Physical Description
15 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 67 minutes; not indexed; interview
questionnaire
Interviewer
Conner, Nancy
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
George Hanasono discusses his time working for Eli Lilly and Company, focusing
specifically on the increasing presence of minority workers in the
organization. He then talks about the state of Japanese culture in the United
States, with specific emphasis on differences between his generation and
younger Japanese Americans. Hanasono talks about his role in the Japanese
American Citizens League, especially regarding the need to understand the
impact of interracial marriage on the organization's membership. In reference
to the JACL, he also discusses the differences between Japanese community
organizations in the Midwest and on the West Coast.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Japanese American Citizens League
-
-
Place Names
- Indianapolis, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- community organizations
- generational differences
- interracial marriage
- Japanese culture
- Japanese language
Interviewee
Ingraham, Larry January 27, 2005
Call Number
05-010
Physical Description
17 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 90 minutes; not indexed; interview
questionnaire
Interviewer
Conner, Nancy
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Larry Ingraham begins by recalling his experiences as a serviceman during
the war in Vietnam, when he was stationed in Taiwan and northern Japan.
He describes this period of his life as the source of his interest in
Asian culture, which culminated in his education at the University of
Michigan. From there, Ingraham describes his role as a liaison between
the state of Indiana and Japanese businesses, especially foreign
autmotove companies. He specifically discusses his work with groups like
the Japan America Society and Indiana Japanese Chamber on fostering
international business relationships.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana Japanese Chamber
- Japan America Society
- Sony Corporation
- Subaru-Isuzu Automotive
- Toyota Motor Company
- United States Air Force
- University of Michigan
-
-
Place Names
- Akita, Japan
- Georgetown, Kentucky
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Lafayette, Indiana
- Princeton, Indiana
- Taichung, Taiwan
-
-
Subjects
- automotive industry
- English language instruction
- international business
- military draft
- Vietnam War
Interviewee
Ito, Frances March 15, 2004
Call Number
05-006
Physical Description
18 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 57 minutes; not indexed; interview
questionnaire
Interviewer
Conner, Nancy
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Frances Ito, born in 1920, talks about growing up in Oregon and the Japanese
community in Portland. After her family was moved to an internment camp during
WWII, Ito joined her husband at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis,
Indiana. She recalls the scarcity of other Asian Americans in the city soon
after the war, an experience that persisted until her somewhat recent
involvement in the local Japanese American Citizens League. Ito discusses
community involvement through other avenues, specifically her conversion to
Christianity and work within the church.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Ito and Koby Dental Lab
- Japanese American Citizens League
-
-
Place Names
- Castleton, Indiana
- Fort Benjamin Harrison
- Portland, Oregon
-
-
Subjects
- Christianity
- community organizations
- dentistry
- Japanese American community
- Japanese internment camps
- Japanese language
- religious conversion
Interviewee
Jacobs, Chieko May 3, 2004
Call Number
05-007
Physical Description
15 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 48 minutes; not indexed; interview
questionnaire
Interviewer
Conner, Nancy
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Chieko Jacobs, born in 1929, discusses growing up in Japan before meeting her
American husband through the military. In her discussion about coming to
America, Jacobs focuses on the difficulties of the language barrier and of
being a military wife. She talks about her employment history in Indianapolis,
Indiana, at length. Finally she talks about her participation in Minyo dance
groups through the local Japanese American Citizens League.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Japanese American Citizens League
- Naval Avionics Center
- RCA
- Western Electric Company
-
-
Place Names
- Chicago, Illinois
- Fort Benjamin Harrison
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Kobe, Japan
- Seattle, Washington
-
-
Subjects
- Japanese food
- Japanese language
- Japanese war brides
- language barrier
- military wives
- Minyo
- naturalization
Interviewee
Kulczak, Theresa September 3, 2004
Call Number
05-008
Physical Description
19 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 85 minutes; not indexed; interview
questionnaire
Interviewer
Conner, Nancy
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Theresa Kulczak discussed her educational background and her experiences
teaching conversational English in Japan. She explained her involvement with
the Japan America Society located in Indianapolis, specifically as it related
to international business. In particular, Kulzcak explained the role of liaison
performed by the JSA between the state of Indiana and Japanese businesses.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Japan America Society
- Purdue University
- Sony Corporation
- Subaru-Isuzu Automotive
- Toyota Motor Company
-
-
Place Names
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Niigata City, Japan
-
-
Subjects
- automotive industry
- English language instruction
- international business
- United States-Japan relations
Interviewee
Matsumoto, Charles January 14, 2004
Call Number
05-005
Physical Description
18 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 65 minutes; not indexed; interview
questionnaire
Interviewer
Conner, Nancy
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Charles Matsumoto, born in 1932, recalls his childhood on family farms in
California and Colorado prior to and during World War II. He explains his
family's decision to voluntarily move to Colorado before the forced internment
of Japanese in California. Matsumoto discusses his educational background in
pharmacology and his job at Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis. Matsumoto
tells of his involvement in the Japanese American Citizens League and specific
initiatives like the Redress Movement. He also explains his involvement in
other organizations, both within the Japanese American community and in groups
outside of his ethnic affiliation. Matsumoto concludes by discussing variations
within the Japanese American community, specifically mentioning geographic
factors and generational differences in the culture and social politics of the
community.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Asian Alliance
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Japan America Society
- Japanese American Citizens League
-
-
Place Names
- Ault, Colorado
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- San Jose, California
-
-
Subjects
- community organizations
- generational differences
- interracial marriage
- Japanese culture
- racial discrimination
- Redress Movement
Interviewee
Moore, Anne C. December 12, 2003
Call Number
05-004
Physical Description
18 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 85 minutes; not indexed; interview
questionnaire
Interviewer
Conner, Nancy
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Anne Moore, born in 1935, discusses growing up on her family's farm in
California, before being forced into internment camps during World War II.
Moore tells about life in the camps, including the importance of her family and
the educational system. Moore also reflects on the different internment
experiences of her neighbors. She recalls her career in art museums at a number
of universities in the Indianapolis area and her involvement in the local
Japanese American Citizens League. Moore also reflects upon her own ideas about
the existence of a distinct Japanese community in Indianapolis and the role of
language in constructing these networks.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Ball State University
- Japanese American Citizens League
-
-
Place Names
- Kendallville, Indiana
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Salinas Valley, California
-
-
Subjects
- community organizations
- education
- Japanese internment camps
- Japanese language
- segregation
Interviewee
Umemura, Jean; Umemura, George September 25, 2003
Call Number
05-001
Physical Description
25 pages; 1tape, 1 7/8 ips, 90 minutes; not indexed; interview
questionnaire
Interviewer
Conner, Nancy
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Jean and George Umemura, born in 1926 and 1923 respectively, discuss their
family backgrounds growing up in Seattle, Washington, prior to World War II,
including the extent to which the Japanese language was prevalent in their
homes. Both discuss the experience of moving to internment camps during the
war, and the ways in which their families managed to maintain contact with
Japanese friends from Seattle. Jean and George talk about how they came to be
married. George discusses the formation of the Japanese American Citizens
League in Indianapolis, Indiana. He emphasizes his experiences facing prejudice
as a Japanese American.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Indiana University
- Japan America Society
- Japanese American Citizens League
-
-
Personal Names
- Loucks, Chester
- Soto, Mary
-
-
Place Names
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Seattle, Washington
-
-
Subjects
- community organizations
- Japanese Americans
- Japanese internment camps
- Japanese language
- racism